And now a word from Andy Stanley

My husband and I not too long ago led a video Bible study on direction by Andy Stanley with our church small group. For me he has a way of narrowing it all down and speaking both directly and really practically to my heart. I ran onto this summary of his latest book and I can't wait to go get it! I love to read but my life right now leaves very little time for pleasure reading...except for books on tape due to the ridiculous amount of time I spend in my car. I'm going to see if this one is out on tape and if not I may have to just get it anyway and make the time to read it. I don't know about you but there were some words even in this short summary that I really needed to hear!!

* Direction–not intention–determines our destination.
* You don’t have problems to fix; you have directions that need to change.
* Our problem stems from the fact that we are not on a truth quest…We are on a happiness quest. We want to be (as in feel)happy. And our quest for happiness often trumps our appreciation for and pursuit of what’s true.
*Choosing the right path begins with submission, not information…Specifically, submission to the One who knows where each path leads, as well as where it doesn’t lead.
*Don’t trust your heart, trust God with your heart.
*God’s will for your life will always line up with his law, his principles, and his wisdom.
*It is next to impossible to hear the voice of wisdom if we are not really listening for it to begin with.
*What gets our attention determines our direction and,
ultimately, our destination.
*…the principle of the path in 3 words:attention, direction, destination
*The things you give your attention to function as the directional beacon for your life.
*When we resist God’s will for our lives, we are in essence resisting God. When we resist the priorities he has established for us through Scripture, we resist him.
*Knowing doesn’t make the difference. Doing does.

July Trip Part 2

Yes there was an actual part 2 to our trip and just pretend that these posts were only a day apart (you can do it - try). We left Great Grandma Kelly's and went out to the farm...where my other side of the family lives. This is a true family farm and has been in our family for 6 generations. I have been going out in the summer for harvest since I was a kid and I have only missed a couple of summers. I was talking to a colleague here in Dallas and said I was "going to Kansas for harvest" and he said "oh - what kind of festival is that?". Silly city people....harvest is not a festival it is HARVEST as in 'harvesting the crops'. Honestly that comment is part of the reason I go out there. It is a part of who I am, who my family is, and that kind of life and those kind of people....simple, smart, hard working, don't complain...that is what I want my kids to see - THAT kind of life. Honestly though, one of the main reasons I go is to spend time with my family. We are a close knit group and I couldn't think of a better way to spend my vacation then investing in my own heritage. I just love to listen to my Grandma and Granddad talk, laugh, tell stories. I am one of the few lucky people at my age who still has healthy active grandparents....and I just want to soak myself and my kids in every ounce of them that I can!

This year the "soaking up" included a new favorite game of Jackson's that is as entertaining to watch as it is to play...Old Maid. Granddad's facial expressions and overall card dramatics were priceless and we ended up playing it every night. We didn't get to ride horses this time as they are down to one horse and due to some sort of illness, it isn't a riding horse anymore. They were just starting to cut the wheat and although it was a little wet still, it looked like it was going to be a good harvest this year...if they could just get it out of the ground. We rode in the combine with my cousin and one of his kids who is close to Jackson's age. She had a 4-H calf that Jackson helped feed - Gavin on the other hand kept his distance. His kind of cow was the stuffed kind which he tried to guard against sharing with one of the other cousins. We also got to go to one of the cousins baseball games, which Jackson could NOT stop talking about and of course we brought our glove in case there were any foul balls. We got our now mandatory picture in the wheat and overall just had a great time! These days the trip does leave me feeling a little tired - like I need a vacation from my vacation but then I look at these pictures and I wouldn't have it any other way! I miss them already!

July Trip ~ Part 1

I decided that the sheer number of pictures, stories, etc that I have from this trip requires me to break it up in parts (otherwise, let's be honest, I might not get a post done about it). I do want to point out, even if I break my arm patting myself on the back, that I am actually blogging about something in the SAME month that it happened! Are you proud or what!? Once slice of humlbe pie - table 4 please....ummm pie - wait I think I'm loosing my train of thought.

Back to the trip. It was just the kids and me and we left on Friday morning at about noon. Our first stop was at their Great Grandma Kelly's (about 6 hours). They did great on this leg of the trip but after 6 hours in the car (with only one very short potty stop), Gavin was ready to be out of the car - for sure! We had a fun time though at the house, at a local park, and then at a little water area adjacent to a park only a block from her house. Quite a fun filled 24 hours!

School Pictures

Can you believe it - two days in a row...pace yourself Kara blogging is a marathon not a sprint. Oh who am I kidding, if it was a marathon I would be dead on the side of the blog at mile 13 (okay mile 7...okay so it might be mile 5 but I am in much better shape these days!!). If you are keeping track (you know who you are) this is TWO DAYS IN A ROW that I am posting something. One could argue that being gone from blogging for so long I have lots to post about and while one might be right, one might also just quit analyzing it and enjoy the post! One might also quit talking in obscure tenses where it is difficult to read... yes I know.

Wanted to share this year's "school pictures" that I got recently from J&G's school. There weren't a lot of choices so if you are wondering why I would select a picture of Jackson where he looks like he's grown an ivy tail and is participating in the world's most elite smile staring contest, just know that it was the only one I got. He redeemed himself (or at least his smile) in the picture with his brother...but let's talk about that brother...is it just me or does he look like he is about six years old in his individual picture!?! If I had any misconception that I still had a baby because I could legitimately still count his age in months - that was out the window when I got these pictures. The 'cap & gown' picture killed me too...mainly because it reminded me of what he said as we were driving home from the little graduation ceremony they had. We were no more than out of the parking lot and he asked "so...do I start Kindergarten tomorrow morning??". He is so excited and I am glad that we only have just over a month to wait!!

"Life Happens" and then you Blog...

I have come out of my blogging hiatus to bring you the following: I would like to title the picture on the right below as "I Fought the Cabinet and the Cabinet Won". While I won't bore you with the incidents that surround this unfortunate picture, I will tell you that the past couple of weeks will forever be known as "The Bloody Nose of 2009". Poor Gavin!

Being ever so smart for his mere 19 months of age, he has employed a new security system....and yes I suppose I should tell him that he has it on backwards but it wouldn't be nearly as cute!

Overall, he rebounded well though and continues to seek out healing waters (also known as any pool - or "pooo" as he says). He LOVES the water and is enjoying his summer. I will hopefully have more pictures from our harvest trip (and no it is not a festival - it is actual harvest you city people) coming soon.


Many apologies for the long hiatus, as I like to say "life happens and THEN you blog". Thanks for staying tune....uh hello....Bueller?...Bueller?....anyone there???? (crickets chirping)

Picture Pages

Since I seem to be developing this terrible habit of taking long hiatuses (is that a word?) between posts, I thought I would attempt to redeem myself. On a side note (man, one sentence into this post and I am already derailing myself - further proof of my lack of literary prowess....except I did just use the words "literary prowess" - that's gotta count for something right? Okay now I'm just talking to myself...actually - worse I am typing out my conversation with myself - okay stop it...seriously back on track - or at least back to the side note)... did anyone else read the title of the blog and start singing to themselves the little jingle "Picture pages, picture pages, time to get your picture pages, time to get your crayons and your pencils"....No? No one watching "educational television" in the late 70's early 80's??? Okay yeah - me neither! hmmm....

Now, I do know the hierarchy of the blogging world, particularly as it relates to my own little corner of cyberspace. Personal stories are above copied ones, kid stories are above adult stories, and PICTURES are above all else. So since I wanted to come back from my long absence with a bang, I thought I would post these pictures from our family photo session weekend before last. The pictures were taken by a young up-and-coming photographer who is a friend of a friend and she did a great job, check out her website for more information. She took over 100 photos but these are a few collages I created of my personal favorites. Keep in mind that Jackson was "trying" to smile most of the time (hmmm...) and Gavin, well he's 16 months people - enough said. Even still, my family is truly one of God's greatest blessings!

The two "M" words

I know I know, it's been a long time between posts and no I didn't die from taking another spin class (although I do have my first workout with my new trainer today so stay tune for what I'm sure will be some entertaining recaps on that sweaty endeavor). Today's post is going to be much shorter (you're welcome) but was just something that struck me as funny. It was one of those moments when I had a glimpse into the future of my life as a mother of teenage boys and I couldn't help but be a little sick to my stomach. For those who may not know me well enough, I am a card carrying member of COA (Compulsive Overanalyzers Anonymous) and this is only further triggered around my children when I am trying to figure out if I have in any way lost my chance at a card for the PMA (Perfect Mother's Association).

I picked up my kids from preschool and as we were traveling to and from the grocery store, Jackson asked me a few of his priceless questions. Jackson is always talking, thinking, asking questions - it is just his nature....poor thing - he is just a little too much , well, ME. I am never surprised by the breadth and depth of his questions but sometimes, as in this case, the subject matter does give me a pause. We were driving along with the radio on and out of nowhere he says “Momma, have you ever gotten a mass-ah-judge?”. I ask “A massage?? [brain processing: quick check of the radio – nope nothing about spas or massages….where could he be going with this?] Well, yes, mommy has gotten a massage before”. I know him well enough to know I don’t want to just leave it at that and I add “What made you ask that bud?”. “Well today Patty (girl at school – names changed to protect the innocent) and I were playing and giving each other haircuts and then massages”. The last massage I had was when I was pregnant with him so I have to wonder… “Was this Patty’s idea?”. He says “Yeah, we were just pretending…we mass-ah-judged our backs”. I know Jackson is a very loving kid and is not afraid of showing emotion but kids are inherently innocent so I didn’t know quite how to take this recent development. Always staying on my toes during a Q&A with Jackson I figured I would throw something back for good measure and said “Well remember how Ms. Nina says we need to keep our hands to ourselves so maybe we should just stick to haircuts so we don’t get in trouble.” “Yeah – I know momma”. Okay, well that went well…I guess…no sign of trouble.

Then after going in and out of the store, we were back in the car and headed home. Then this little gem of a question came out… “Momma, the next time I get my hair cut…can I get a mohawk??” I replied “A mohawk? [brain processing: quick check of the radio – nope nothing about rock bands or mohawks….where could he be going with this?] …really?” “Yeah, and then when I walk into Ms. Nina’s class all the boys will say ‘Dude – COOL’ [said with both arms extended into number one signs above his head]". Use of the word 'dude' - is this kid 5 or 15??Trying to maintain my Q&A toe balance, I said “Maybe we could just comb it into a Mohawk after your bath tonight and use some of that cool gel?” “Yeah – and if it breaks during the night then daddy can fix it in the morning”. Oh boy….no literally oh THAT boy!

So as a card carrying COA member, I am currently trying to purge the mental image of my son sometime in the future wearing a mohawk and giving back massages?!?!? I had only one sister growing up so having only boys, I fear we are headed for trouble....big trouble.

And yes….”short post” is a relative term.